North Oakland With Kids: Where to Eat and What to Do (2024)
Uncover the insider's guide to family-friendly fun, delicious food, and exciting play in North Oakland, California.
Overview of Oakland
Oakland's food scene truly embodies the diversity of its population. With Michelin-rated Italian cuisine and fresh sushi among the many options, living in Oakland means having a taste of everything right at your fingertips.
As a local foodie and mom who has called Oakland home for 16 years, I can assure you that this city offers a plethora of delectable choices for food, fun, and play. Oakland is vast, comprising various neighborhoods with their own unique attractions. In my experience, the most delightful and family-friendly spots can be found in North Oakland.
Whether you're a newcomer or a visitor, I've curated my personal North Oakland food and fun guide, which serves as my go-to resource for infusing our family adventures in Oakland with flavor and joy. It's a living document that continually evolves as we explore and indulge in the vibrant North Oakland area.
Is North Oakland family-friendly?
As a local Oaklander with two little munchkins, you'll find me hanging out 24/7 in North Oakland. Why? Well, besides being family-friendly, it's also got that extra dose of safety that parents crave.
One of the best things about this area is its close connection to nature. With parks, hills, and plenty of open spaces, it's a paradise for kids to run wild and free. Don't be surprised if you spot a deer or a flock of turkeys while exploring!
And let's not forget about the food. In North Oakland, you're never far from some seriously delicious eats. So after a day of outdoor adventures, you can satisfy your cravings with a mouthwatering meal.
What is Oakland food known for?
Oakland's food scene is all about that soulful vibe mixed with some California flair. You'll find everything from finger-licking fried chicken sandwiches to elegant dishes featuring beets, butterhead lettuces, stone fruit, and creamy burrata. Whether you're in the mood for comfort food or fancy dining, this city is a true foodie heaven.
About North Oakland fun with kids
Oakland has some pretty awesome weather throughout the year, except for a few rainy months. That's why you'll often find families soaking up the outdoors, especially in North Oakland, where we're blessed with nature's wonders like majestic redwood trees. I spend a ton of time with my kids exploring gardens, parks, and cool spots like the Oakland Zoo. When it gets scorching hot or rainy, we switch gears and head to museums or indoor play areas.
And let me tell you, in this post-pandemic world, outdoor play has become even more popular around here. The playground parking lots fill up like lightning, especially on weekends. It's great to see everyone enjoying the fresh air and sunshine again!
Best restaurants in North Oakland
Pasta at Belotti Bottega
BELOTTI BOTTEGA | Hands down the best pasta in the Bay Area. Make sure you make a reservation before you go.
READ MORE: Belotti Bottega Restaurant Review (By A Local)
PERLE RESTAURANT & WINE BAR | Nestled in the Montclair neighborhood of Oakland, Chef Rob Lam has made a name for himself with the French Californian-inspired menu. Our family has been eating at this place since it opened. It’s quality legit food.
Visit on a Sunday for their Brunch Menu and check out their amazing reviews on Restaurantji.
CHOLITA LINDA TACOS | These are the best tacos in Oakland. I always order the fish tacos and love their selection of agua fresca. You can also find them at Farmer’s Markets.
OGHANE KOREAN BBQ | For the past ten years, our family has been eating at Oghane. Go for their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet! This restaurant is also spacious.
DRAKE’S DEALERSHIP RESTAURANT & BEER GARDEN | A trip to Oakland with kids isn’t complete without a visit to a beer garden. Drakes has a menu with wood-fired pizza, salads, flatbread, and fries. They also have a few unique items like Irish Nachos and edamame with chili garlic sauce. The best time to visit with kids is when they open to beat the crowds. They get busy on the weekends too.
PIZZERIA MERCATO | My husband is Italian. We are picky about pizza. Their menu is the closest we have seen to those in Italy. Mercato also does a good mortadella pizza, a style you will not find on a Domino’s menu.
Casa Barotti on College Avenue
BAKESALE BETTY | Love fried chicken? Even better when it’s in a sandwich? I got you. Our family eats from here once a week. No joke. They have nailed a simple concept, and folks flock to grab these sandwiches off the grill. Additionally, Bakesale Betty’s has a killer dessert menu with treats like cookies and strawberry shortcakes. It’s safe to say that this gem has become an institution in Oakland.
CASA BAROTTI | The owner’s here are Italian and make pizza commonly found in Northern Italy. They call it, pizza al trancio. It’s very similar to focaccia bread. We love eating here or even grabbing a bite after a visit to a park.
CURBSIDE CREAMERY | I love this ice cream place for two reasons: They offer dairy-free ice cream, and their location is in a trendy alleyway near other stores, where kids can stretch their legs and play. From soft serve to dairy-free ice cream, they offer ice cream options for everyone.
Cinnamon Roll at Timeless Coffee & Bakery on Piedmont Avenue
STARTER BAKERY | Where do I begin? Starter Bakery, initially from Berkeley, recently opened a shop on College Avenue in the Rockridge district. They make classic pastries and offer a wide selection of bread. Starter Bakery is a popular place: the best time to visit is on a weekday at 10 am when locals are out for lunch.
COLONIAL DONUTS MONTCLAIR | Colonial Donuts is an institution in Oakland. Parents and kids come out on Sunday mornings to grab their favorite donuts. This place makes basic donuts well done.
TIMELESS COFFEE & BAKERY | This place has mastered vegan pastry. My favorite to take on the go are their soft, gooey cinnamon rolls. I can’t believe it’s not butter! My toddler loves their mango sprinkle donut.
LA FARINE BOULANGERIE PATISSERIE | I head to La Farine with my kids for French-style pastries. They make a legit loaf of challah bread too.
FENTONS CREAMERY | Fentons is a diner-style restaurant that serves classic ice cream. Here is where you will find the best hot fudge Sunday in Oakland. It gets crowded on the weekends. The best time to visit Fentons is on a weekday afternoon.
MARKET HALL FOODS | Explore Market Hall Foods for a European food hall experience with your kids and enjoy looking at the crabs in the fish tank, a pastry, and some gourmet foodie delights. Recently, Hapuku Fish Shop started selling fish and chips!
SWANS MARKET OLD OAKLAND | This market has some “vibe” to it. Located in a historical part of downtown, it features a variety of restaurants. The one drawback is that the market is near downtown Oakland and is not rated the safest, especially at night.
Best Farmers Markets
SUNDAY MONTCLAIR VILLAGE MARKET | The Montclair Village Farmers Market is small but lively. From live music to produce and food vendors, it’s both low-key and friendly. This market is also in a very safe location for folks that have little kids.
SUNDAY JACK LONDON SQUARE MARKET | You could spend a whole morning in Jack London Square and visit the Farmers Market.
SUNDAY TEMESCAL MARKET | This market offers a variety of vendors and food.
I love that there is a little stream where kids can run and play.
Best grocery stores
Trader Joe’s on College Avenue, Oakland
TRADER JOE’S ON COLLEGE AVE | The best place to stock up on basics is at the Trader Joe’s location on College Avenue. The grocery store is friendly, safe, and easy to get in and out of.
PIEDMONT GROCERY STORE | Piedmont Grocery Store has a high-quality butcher section. The folks behind the counter are both friendly and passionate about their job. My favorite thing to buy is their in-house breakfast sausage patties.
VILLAGE MARKET | Located between Piedmont and Montclair, Village Market Grocery has the best produce selection. You can also pick up BBQ chicken and fresh grilled salmon on certain days.
YASAI MARKET | This is my go-to Asian food store. It’s located on College Avenue, closer to the Berkeley side.
MONTCLAIR PARK | Located in the center of the town, adjacent to the Elementry School, Montclair Park has both a toddler and big kid playground. You will also find a pond with ducks and fish, a baseball field, and a skateboard ramp.
Visit on a Sunday to catch the Farmers Market, then head to the park to play.
LOCATION: 6226 Moraga Ave, Oakland, CA 94611
LAKE TEMESCAL PARK | Lake Temescal Park has become my favorite place to bring our kids. The park has two different playgrounds, a small beach, and lots of bird and duck watching. Folks can also bike along the lake or picnic in the open grass. This park is well-kept and has a full-time recreation staff working to maintain the area. There are three locations for restrooms at Lake Temescal.
LOCATION:
North Entrance: 6500 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94618
South Entrance: 6502 Broadway Terrace, Oakland, CA 94618
PIEDMONT PARK | Piedmont Park sits in the center of Piedmont, across the street from the police and fire station. The park has one playground with a fountain, restrooms, and open grassy space. Plus, you can hike down a path that runs along a spring. This park has lots of shade and is a great place to cool down in the summer.
LOCATION: 356 Highland Ave, Piedmont, CA 94611
DRACENA QUARRY PARK | You will not find any park like Dracena. It feels like a spa. Located in Piedmont, it is an old quarry turned into a park. Kids can enjoy a play structure, sandbox, a rock climbing wall, and a path to bike on. You will find restrooms here and open space for a picnic.
LOCATION: 130 Dracena Ave, Piedmont, CA 94611
READ MORE: 5 Top Toddler Parks In North Oakland, Ca
Best North Oakland libraries for kids
MONTCLAIR BRANCH LIBRARY | The Montclair Branch Library offers weekly story time, crayons, books, and helpful librarians and volunteers. They offer a summer reading program that incentives kids with a raffle program for prizes. This branch does not have air conditioning, so it gets a little hot in a heat wave.
PIEDMONT LIBRARY | Though small, this library features a cute reading corner for toddlers that comes with crayons and paper. Piedmont Library also has air conditioning and is a great place to stay cool in the summer with kids.
ROCKRIDGE LIBRARY | A library with a more urban vibe, the Rockridge branch is another place to take kids to read. The only drawback is that it’s an old building and does not offer air conditioning if the area has a heat wave.
Though these are my favorite libraries to take my kids to in Oakland, you can check out all of the Oakland libraries online to find more to visit.
Best day trips in Oakland
Oakland Zoo kid’s playground
THE OAKLAND ZOO | Ride a gondola, see ten grizzly bears, eat a pretzel, and run on the playground. The Oakland Zoo has enough attractions to keep kids busy for an entire day. Make sure you purchase tickets ahead of time.
READ MORE: 10 Best Oakland Zoo Attractions For Toddlers.
JACK LONDON SQUARE | Visitors can enjoy a water-front view, a replica of Jack London’s house, restaurants, ice cream, or bowling at Plank. Bring sunscreen! This is one of the top places to visit in Oakland with kids. Visit on a Sunday to also catch the Farmer’s Market.
CHABOT SPACE AND SCIENCE CENTER | The Chabot Space and Science Center offers hands-on STEM activities, a beautiful observation deck, a cafe, and free telescope viewings. Look at their schedule of events before you visit.
FAIRYLAND | Fairyland is a children’s storybook theme park. From fun rides to gardens and animals, kids will love the variety of things to see and do. Arrive early. The park gets busy on the weekends.
MORCOM ROSE GARDEN | This is one of Oakland’s hidden gems. The garden is tucked into the Lakeshore district of Oakland and features hundreds of exotic blooms. You will find clean bathrooms and benches to sit, relax and enjoy the scene. Roses start to bloom as early as Mother’s Day. The best time to visit is first thing in the morning or late afternoon.
Best day trips from Oakland
NAPA | Visit Napa with kids on a weekday to avoid crowds. Start at Oxbow Public Market for great food and wine, and head to one of Napa’s best playgrounds or parks. For dinner, dine at Don Giovanni Italian Restaurant. We love that this place has outdoor seating and open grass for kids to run and play.
WALNUT CREEK | Go check out Broadway Plaza for shopping, restaurants, and bites. It’s a big outdoor mall with space for kids to sprawl. Pop over to Heather Park for outdoor play.
BERKELEY | Our kids love Codornices Park in Berkeley for its famous slide. Enjoy pizza from The Cheese Board Collective in Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto or bites at Saul’s Jewish Deli.
SF MARINA | Take a trip to the San Francisco Marina District and Ghirardelli Square for a chocolate experience near Marina Green Park. Families can toss a frisbee, kick a ball, and enjoy a dip in the ocean. Also, there is a cute little beach area where kids can play.
Best toy stores in North Oakland
MONTCLAIR TOYHOUSE | From legos to dolls, hula hoops, and board games, Montclair Toyhouse has a wide selection of goodies for kids to choose from and see.
SWEET DREAMS TOY STORE | Technically on the Berkeley side but a minute from the Oakland border, check out Sweet Dreams Toy Store for a classic toy store experience.
Best places to stay in Oakland with kids
Because Oakland does not have a stellar selection of family-friendly hotels, I recommend staying in an Airbnb in either the Lakeshore or Rockridge neighborhood.
Best Annual Festivals for Kids
ROCKRIDGE OUT AND ABOUT | Our family has been going to the Rockridge Out and About for years, even before we had kids. The festival features food, drinks, vendors, live music, arts and crafts for kids, and rides. College Avenue on the Oakland side shuts down for the day. Check out their Facebook page for dates. The festival runs in the fall.
PIEDMONT FOOD FESTIVAL | A multi-cultural festival of food and drink and live performances. This year they even had an Oprah singer perform in the park. This festival runs in the spring and features a killer selection of food carts.
TEMESCAL STREET FAIR | Live music, entertainment, vendors, and food! This festival usually runs in June in the Temescal district of Oakland.
Oakland travel tips
CARS & POSSESSIONS | Don’t leave any possessions in your vehicle. Be safe, smart, and happy.
CLOTHING & WEAR | Folks in Oakland and the Bay Area tend to dress casually. Your typical mom wears yoga pants, tennis shoes, a top, and a hoodie or jacket. You will find a lot of parents wearing Patagonia, hoodies, jeans, and tennis shoes.
Always bring a warm jacket when you visit the Bay Area, no matter what month it is. Often the air from the bay waters runs cold and can blow anywhere. Don’t forget a pair of shades!
What did I miss? Please share your favorite North Oakland places to eat and play with kids.
Find more things to do in Oakland with kids
20 Best Things to Do in Oakland With Kids
Planning a trip to Oakland with kids? Get my Oakland guides and recommendations here.
10 Best Oakland Zoo Attractions For Toddlers
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